1) Measure your wall space and buy the right size pegboard at your local hardware store.

Pegboard

2) Prime the smooth (finished) side of the pegboard with spray paint primer. This step prevents you from needing to sand down the pegboard finish.

3) Spraypaint your pegboard to your desired color. I suggest using a paint with a shiny finish. Please note more than one coat may be needed. Allow 1-2 hours between coats. If you really want to get creative, you could even create spray paint stencils and spray graphics or words on your board. I decided to go with just a solid board since my purse collection will cover most of the board.

Use ribbon and gems to embellish the board and make it look less industrial. I suggest a thicker ribbon, but its up to you. The ribbon can be used for the boarder as well as for wrapping hardware. This will give your board its personality. Beads, trinkets, found items (keys, etc.) can be used in place of gems if you prefer.

1)Measure ribbon to board. Be sure to leave a little extra length on each side so you can wrap the ribbon around the back.

2) Apply a strong multi-purpose glue, preferably not quick-drying glue, to the painted pegboard edge. I used “Amazing GOOP”. If you use a thick glue (like Amazing GOOP), be sure to smooth out the glue evenlybefore applying the ribbon.

3) Apply the ribbon. Remember to leave room on each side of the board to create a finished boarder. You will wrap the excess ribbon onto the back in a later step. When applying the ribbon, use the pegboard holes as a guide to ensure your ribbon is in a straight line. Let dry.

4) Once your ribbon is secure and the glue has dried, flip your board face down. Wrap and glue the excess ribbon onto the back of the board. Your edges should look crisp and clean, much like a nicely wrapped present.Let dry.

5) Once dry, flip your board back to the front and set up how you would like your gems to look. The holes on the pegboard can be used as a spacing guide for gem placement. I did a gem every 3 holes and rotated 2 different types of gems for the look below. Once satisfied with your look, glue down your gems. Let dry.

**Always set it up before you glue down to make sure you like what the finished product will look like. Once you glue you’re kinda stuck.**

Boarder

6) Repeat boarder instructions on other edges. In my example, I decided to only embellish 2 out of the 4-sides, but its your preference.

Embellished Hooks Instructions:

Pegboard hooks are available in a variety of sizes and shapes which is part of why this design allows for such a versatility. I purchased one of each type of hook and returned those that I didn’t think were as functional. For example, I wanted room for my collection to grow, so I used longer hooks. I also didn’t want to worry about the hooks coming out of the board when I quickly grabbed my purse so I made sure they locked in place well. Finally, I wanted the ability to make them look less industrial. I found that 1/4″x4″ Double Peg Hooks worked the best for my 1/4″ Pegboard. If your not sure what works best for your board, feel free to ask someone at your home improvement store, they were more than happy to help me. They even asked me to give them instructions and picture to show their wives!

Ribbon Wrapping

1) Choose ribbon that you like. I chose the same ribbon as my boarder, but you can definitely get creative with this and make this project your own.

8) Glue one end of the ribbon on the under side of the hooks (left in picture) so that the ribbon is touching both of the hooks. Wrap the ribbon up the hooks length-wise to cover from tip to tip. Glue as you go.

Covered Double peg hook

9) Once covered length-wise begin wrapping (continue to glue as you go) the hooks width-wise to cover all metal except for the hooks that go into the board. Let dry.

Other Hook Embellishment Options:

Au’ Natural: Leave the hooks Au’ Natural for a more industrial look to your Purse Rack or if your more interested in function and speed rather than design.

Spray Paint: This is a fast option that still gives it a little bit of style. You can spray the hooks to match the board, the boarder, or add some color with a variety.

Microbead: I tried this option and it didn’t really work, but I attribute this to trying to use the “Amazing GOOP” instead of a spray adhesive.

Gem it: I did this on a single hook. It turned out really cool (pictured in the center of the picture below) but it was incredibly time consuming. To do it, you have to create a gem sheath for your hook. Glue the gems straight across the top. Once dry, add the bottom 2 rows of gems leaning against each other to make a pyramid sheath of gems around the hook. Let dry. Once dry, carefully use nail polish remover and a Q-tip to remove the excess glue from the gem faces. Use sparingly, or you will dissolve the glue holding the sheath together.

Gem it (Option 2): After creating the ribbon covering, you could always put a couple of gems across the top to add a little sparkle.

finished details

Another look at the finished product:

Final Product - Purse Rack

It met my goals and I’m happy with the Final Product. Please let me know if you have any questions or new solutions to displaying your purses and handbags. Also, if you are interested in me creating one for you, let me know! saraksummers@gmail.com

I recently moved and have a beautiful master closet and a second smaller closet in my room as well. So you would think that there’s room for everything. But, right now my purses are taking up shelving space in my second closet (that I’d like to use for shoes instead!) So I’ve been on a search to find a purse organizer to add to my main closet’s space and free up the shelves.

Picture of my empty closet:

Master Closet 1

I have searched the internet high and low for a purse organizer. It was a frustrating search that provided very few solutions. So, I decided to take it into my own hands. The goal was to make a nice looking, functional purse organizer to hang my collection. I plan on completing my purse rack and mounting it this week and when I do, I’ll be sure to post instructions and pictures of the final result.

Here are the best solutions that I found online, but it didn’t quite fit my needs:

The option displayed below, uses unused (in this case vertical) space, which is great and it displays them so that all your purses can be seen. I also like that hooks were used for easy and quick access. However, there are a few drawbacks.

1) Only the back of the door can be used. I would prefer a solution that fits my closet.

2) There is a limited amount of space, which means that you don’t have room for the growth of your collection.

Purse organizer

This is the second best solution that I found. Like the previous purse organizer, I like that unused (in this case vertical) space is being used. I like that this purse organizer can be hung in the closet, which is one of the drawbacks from the above purse organizer. I also like that because this organizer can be hung in the closet, there aren’t limitations on how many purses can be hung. However, there are drawbacks on this one as well. The organizer is made from fabric and the position is only secured from the top, which means that it is likely to bow under the weight of the purses, depending on the order in which they are hung. Secondly, the clasps instead of hooks mean that it takes more time to access the purses.

Purse Organizer 2

My goals are to create a purse organizer solution that:

1) Uses unused space, preferably in my closet

2) Allows for continued growth of my purse collection

3) Displays all of my purses so I can see my collection and choose the right purse for my outfit.

4) Is sturdy enough to hold a variety of purses

5) Makes my purses easily and quickly accessible

6) Is visually appealing

Please let me know if you have created a purse rack, or how you’re displaying your purses.